Blackwell ready to answer the call for Ashes

ALEX Blackwell says she would be honoured to take over the captaincy for the Women's Ashes series, which starts next month.

With regular skipper and star player Meg Lanning ruled out of the series with a shoulder injury, the responsibility is likely to fall to either Blackwell or Rachael Haynes, who was handed the role for two matches during the Women's World Cup.

But Blackwell, who captains the NSW Breakers and is the national team's vice-captain, is confident she can do the job.

"Obviously Meg is a huge loss, not only as a player but as a leader," Blackwell said. "The great thing in our Australian women's team is that we've got so many leaders to choose from to fill that role and I'm very confident we'll perform well in the Ashes.

"I've had the honour to be vice-captain for a very long time and to step up to the Australian captain's role. I would be honoured to hold any leadership role and to the job to the best of my ability, as I always do."

It will be a busy summer for Blackwell, with the veteran hoping to lead the Breakers to their 19th title in 22 years when the Women's National Cricket League begins next month.